The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-20
VALLANDlGHAM.
How He Was Received Into the Con federate
Lines.

Detroit Free Press.
One day in May, 1863, as private s. F. Nunne-
lee, of the Fifty first Alabama Regiment was
picket about five miles from Murfreesboro.
Tenn, federal officer, entirely unattended and
carrying flag o. truce, rode up and inquired
for the officer command, and through him for
the colonel of the regiment Col. j. D. Webb
was on the line. couple of miles to the rear.
and private Nunnelee was sent to inform him
noted Clement L. Vallandigham within
the confederate lines, per
der of the Secretary of War. This
move had been anticipated. Vallandigham's
sentence had been promue gated, but the confed-
crate government had no desire to accept him.
Had he come as recruit for the ranks he would
have been welcome, but banished politician
he was a guest whom no one cared to entertain.
Colonel Webb took his time about riding to the
front, and as he got there Nunnelee was sent
down the highway to investigate second white
flag This was waving above a vehicle drawn
by one horse and occupied by federal lieuten-
ant and Valandigham. The officer was driving
and erect. But few words passed as the officer
drew rein. He said to Nuaneee:
Here is Valandigham, sentenced to Danish
ment."
And to the great politician he said:
Come, have no time to spare"
II protest against this outrage-soemnly pro-
test" answered VallandiCham.
'Yes, but hurry up. I'll take your trunk off.
Jump down, now-good day."
And the officer sprang into the vehicle, turned
the horse round and went off at a fast trot, leav
ing Valandigham and the confederate soldier to-
gether the highway. Previous to the war
Mr.. Nunnelee was editor of a paper at Eutaw,
and Vallandigham one of its readers. AS
they stood there the private soldier introduced
himself and the politician gave him hearty
shake of the hand. and asked:
What on earth are you doing here"
'In the ranks"
And are such men as you fighting in the
ranks of the confederate armya
Thousands of u.s."
Then that settles 1.-THE North can never con-
quer you"
After some further talk the soldier carried the
politicians trunk into a deserted negro cabin,
quarter of mile away, and then went for his
colonel Webb came slowly up, and as he dis
mounted at the hut the banished Northerner
said:
Colonel Webb, am Clement L. vallandie-
ham. a citizen of Ohio and of the United States,
country for my love of liberty and free speech"
The Colonel stifiy answered:
Mr. Valandinham, as citizen Of Ohio and
the United States you are my enemy. AS one
banished for his love of liberty. for which the
South is fighting for to-day, bid you welcome
to the Southern Confederacy."
They then entered into general converse
ton, lasting about half hour, at the end of
which time private Nunnelee secured convey
ance and Vallandieham and his baggage were re-
ceived inside the confederate lines. sThe incident
the men have had their way they would have
headed che man for the federal lines and obliged
him to return. as they counted far more mus
kets than speeches to win their cause.
Mr.. Nunnelee is TOW, and has for many years
past been, the editor of the Tuscaloosa Gazette
and the incidents of this narrative, never before
published, were taken from his own lips.